Encouragement for Today

July 8, 2025 There Are No “Big” Prayer Requests GLYNNIS WHITWER Lee en español

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)

I rattled off my daily prayer requests: Lord, please keep my children safe … Watch over my sister … Help my husband …

Then I said, Now I’ve got a big one. My next prayer was going to be for a friend battling advanced cancer. God certainly knew we needed a miracle, so I'm not sure why I decided to prepare Him.

I felt like His answer was immediate: To Me, there are no “big” requests.

Instantly, I was contrite. How often do I tend to favor prayer requests that seem manageable instead of “big” prayers?

Maybe I subconsciously think I only get a few of those with God … I don’t want to overload Him by asking too many favors. Keeping my prayers easy seems safer.

But in doing so, I put human limitations on a God who is incomparable in power.

He made everything we can see — and everything we can’t — with just His words. From the simplest cell to the intricacy of our brains, He designed and created it all. There are no limitations to His power. No matter how hopeless a situation seems, God can step in and do what no human can do.

In Jeremiah 32, for instance, God made a seemingly impossible promise. Israel was about to experience devastation as a consequence of their great disobedience. Yet God would one day bring them back to Jerusalem — with softened, obedient hearts — to live in safety.

How? God reminded them that nothing is impossible for Him: “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

Centuries later, an angel also told the young virgin Mary — newly pregnant with Jesus — that "with God nothing will be impossible" (Luke 1:37, NKJV).

And today, God says the same thing … to you and me.

Why do we compare God’s power to ours or worry about bothering Him with “big” requests? Why do we accept so many situations without praying for change?

I’m much more comfortable praying for what I can solve. I secretly fear God might say no or stay silent. Plus, I’m afraid I’ll seem demanding. Those complicated fears limit my prayers.

Oh, how that must grieve the heart of God. How much more might He want to do in my life, if only I invite Him?

When we build our faith on what we can do, we will see what we can do. But a faith based on what God can do? That’s life-changing.

It’s not our responsibility how God decides to answer our requests. But that shouldn’t keep us from asking.

Are you also tired of playing it safe? It’s time to cast off our fears, remove the limitations we’ve placed on God, and invite Him into every situation. Because then we’ll see God’s power, not ours.

Father, I praise You for Your power and majesty. Forgive me for the times I’ve not asked for Your help. I want to be a woman whose trust in You is so great that I don’t think twice about praying for Your supernatural intervention. Thank You for all You’ve done and will do! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (NIV).

In the verse above, Jesus gives us a foundation for our prayers. What does it mean to remain in Jesus and have His words remain in us?

What prayer has seemed too impossible for you to pray? Leave a comment today declaring your faith in God’s power to do what only He can do!

© 2025 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.